Nicholas B. Breyfogle

Nicholas B. Breyfogle is Professor of History and Director of the Goldberg Center at Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences. A specialist in Russian/Soviet and global environmental history, he focuses particularly on water history and the environmental dimensions of imperial expansion.

His research examines:

• Intersections of nature, technology, and power in colonial contexts
• Historical water management systems across Eurasia
• Environmental impacts of warfare
• Public history dissemination through digital platforms

Breyfogle leads major public history initiatives including Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective and Picturing Black History. These platforms translate scholarly research for broad audiences through articles, podcasts, and visual narratives. His directorship of the Goldberg Center emphasizes innovative teaching methods and community engagement with historical scholarship.

Honors include the American Historical Association's Herbert Feis Award for distinguished public history contributions and Ohio State's Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award. His publications consistently demonstrate methodological innovation in environmental historiography and archival research.